Scorer: Stewart Greacan

On a bright Saturday afternoon in Paisley, Morton made sure that the Renfrewshire Cup would be taking the short trip down the M8 to Greenock.

The venue for the final was classed as neutral, however the partisan tannoy announcer tried his hardest to spur on his Buddies, getting in cheap digs at the Ton faithful. His antics were to no avail as the voracious traveling support roared on their fans making sure at least they will enjoy the occasion as their counterparts remained motionless.

On the field the Morton team echoed this enthusiasm and energy rushing from the Caledonia stand and were the most hungry, lively and skillful side throughout the ninety minutes.  Indeed Morton raced out the blocks and could have been three goals up within the first few minutes.

John McCormack started the game with the same eleven who took the field in Tuesdays 1-1 draw with SPL side Partick at Cappielow and which is conceived as his preferred first choice. This meant a place on the bench for Jani Uotinen, Phil Cannie,Scott Bannerman and Paul Gaughan, whilst the midweek scorer Warren Hawke was absent due to illness.

St Mirren's close season capture from Arbroath, Craig Hinchcliffe was under siege from the kick-off and Tons new recruit Peter Weatherson had a golden chance to open the scoring. Picking up a pass from other new signing Stewart Greacan he passed McGowan but with time to set up his shot he hooked the ball wide. Perhaps he was already reliving the hero worship and status that would be bestowed upon him if he had hit the back of the net.

Morton continued to fire a salvo of shots at the Saints goal with Greacan getting a header on target after build up from Mel Botiglieri and Marco Maisano- Hinchcliffe tipping over.

So one sided was the play that it took Saints 32 minutes to record their first attempt on goal. The woodwork coming to Ton's rescue after Mark Crilley volleyed. Barry Lavety then had a shot beaten away.

The Saints prodigal son was having a quiet game but as all Ton fans know if anyone was going to score against us then it would probably be him, as he has done wherever he played. Today however was not one of those occasions.

The tackling by St Mirren was atrocious and it seems the ref was classing this game as a friendly and thus reluctant in issuing cards. Certainly more than the three yellow cards issued in the first half were deserved especially by those in black and white. It was some surprise also that Alex Williams was one of the first to be cautioned when many from the opposite side were getting away with downright dirty and dangerous play.

And so the first half finished goalless, the Ton faithful with more to be excited about than their nonchalant opponents.

Morton started the second half as they played the first - putting on a display of fast, slick football and the side who were creating chances.

Peter Weatherson had another shot blocked after good build up from Paul Walker and John Maisano who's brother Marco hit the side netting a few minutes later after the ball was played across goal by Alex Williams.

The vocal traveling support from the Ton throughout intensified at each corner kick and they were rewarded with the games only goal. John Maisanos corner was met by an unmarked Stewart Greacan who powered a header into the far corner of the net to the rapturous applause of the 2000 blue and white behind the goal.

Morton continued to control the game and Alex Williams saw his volley punched by the busy Hinchcliffe after he received a pass from Chris Millar. Williams again could have doubled the score after being put through expertly by Paul Walker. He took the ball round the keeper but it seemed to run away from him and as the angle narrowed his shot was saved on the line by Ricky Gilles.

In the final four minutes Barry Lavety had a couple of chances to bring the game level, his first effort from 25 yards tipped over superbly by Craig Coyle while his second effort rebound off the bar from a header.

The remaining time was played out with Morton keeping control of the ball, this included at one point Peter weatherson "playing" with the St Mirren players as he twisted and turned them inside out. The forward could have made sure his name would be on the scoresheet however , a cross across goal by Phil Cannie was met by him only for the header to hit the bar.

As the final whistle went the 2000 or so Ton fans upped their celebrations with cries including that now familiar championees. This continued as the players, manager and chairman received and paraded the Renfrewshire Cup. The atmosphere was electric as all celebrated a win over our biggest rivals and another piece of silverware in the cabinet.

On May 10th the players had that winning feeling. On 26th July they experienced it again. It is addictive and I'm sure all at the club will be doing their upmost to get that feeling again as soon as they can.

Photos thanks to Tontastic